Rich Blake gives us a clear guide to how to upgrade and customize die-cast/plastic model locomotives, using Bachmann On30 Shays and Climaxes as an example. He goes through his entire process, from planning, designing, drive train improvements, painting and weathering, setting up the DCC decoders and documenting the steps. He also takes questions from the audience where he gives some useful tips on how he uses airbrushes and uses epoxy to improve drive train integrity. If you own any Bachmann On30 locomotives, you don't want to miss this presentation!
This presentation was recorded at the February 18 Zoom meeting of the Eastside Clinic of the 4th Division of the Pacific Northwest Region (4DPNR.com) of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA.org). The meeting was chaired by Alex Brikoff. The recording was edited by Burr Stewart.
Early in the video, Rich mentions the "AP" program, which stands for "Achievement Program," which is administered by volunteers in the NMRA, and leads to designating a model railroader as a "Master Model Railroader" (MMR). "MMR" is a designation of distinction granted to model railroaders who have met the rigorous knowledge and experience standards advanced in the NMRA's "Achievement Program" (AP). For more information on the NMRA and its AP program, consult www.nmra.org, and check out the many other layout tours and clinics available on the rest of this KZfaq channel, some of them given by MMR's.